Scottish Society of Botanical Artists (SSBA)
The society was formed on the 18th June 2014 by a group of enthusiastic botanical artists from a variety of backgrounds with the aim of creating a botanical art society in Scotland that would be open to all.
The SSBA, as a Registered Charity (SC045778), is dedicated to nurturing and promoting botanical art, while respecting its traditions.
We aim to provide a forum to share and disseminate knowledge and expertise in all aspects of botanical art; encouraging a high standard of artistic achievement and providing a platform for the exhibition of botanical art in Scotland.
News
2017 SSBA Exhibition Schedule
Some dates for your calendar
5 April – 29 April 2017
2nd SSBA Spring exhibition
11am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday. Closed Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
Scottish Arts Club, 24 Rutland Square Edinburgh, EH1 2BW
The Scottish Arts Club will take 30% of sales income, so please take this into consideration in your pricing.
Unfortunately there are no facilities for card or print sales. Previously exhibited paintings may be entered. Hanging fees will be £10.00 for large paintings and £5.00 for small. Painting drop off 4 April 10.45 – 12.00.
2 September – 22 October 2017
“The Colours of Nature”
Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2RQ.
Juried exhibition, further details to follow.
Information on 2018 exhibitions
We are hoping to participate in the International World Day of Botanical Art in the summer of 2018.
Our autumn exhibition will be in the Lillie Gallery, Station Road Milngavie G62 8 BZ – details to be announced later.
Open call for entries in botanical exhibition, Twickenham
We received the invitation below to submit work for an upcoming exhibition, and would like to share it with our members.
Botanical Beauty: Botanical art open (25 February – 1 April 2017)
Deadline for submissions: Monday 2 January 2017
Submissions by post only to: Botanical Beauty, Orleans House Gallery, Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DJ.
Through its annual open exhibition opportunities, Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham helps artists locally and nationally to showcase their work in group exhibitions at Orleans House Gallery and Stables Gallery in Twickenham and the Riverside Gallery in Richmond.
Botanical illustration is the art of depicting the form, colour and details of a plant species. Although scientifically accurate, studies are often artistic and aesthetically pleasing. This tradition of marrying art with science goes back to the 6th century when the first botanical illustrations were created. The heyday of botanical art was from the 17th to the 19th century. In recent years, there has been a renaissance in this genre. This open exhibition showcases contemporary British botanical illustrations in a variety of styles.
Artists can submit up to 5 works. Artworks must be submitted as A4 good quality print outs. In addition, please save the images onto a CD or memory stick as jpeg files.
Original artwork or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
Please clearly label each submission with: artist’s name, title of work, date, media, approximate size and sale price (to include the gallery’s 40% commission + 20% VAT on the 40% commission). Please enclose contact details including email and postal address and contact telephone numbers, an artist’s statement and CV. Please complete and return the accompanying submission form.
There is a £10.00 administration charge (which contributes towards exhibition costs); £7.50 concessions (students, retired, unwaged, benefits). Please include proof. Please make cheques payable to ‘L.B.R.U.T’. You can also pay by card by calling the gallery on 020 8831 6000. Your submission will not be accepted without payment. If you would like submissions returned, please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope. Successful artists will be contacted by phone or email about a week after the deadline.
Queries to curator Mark De Novellis at m.denovellis@richmond.gov.uk
Submission form (PDF): botanical-beauty-submission-form
Afternoon tea members’ event at Callander House
We had a very successful event on Saturday 15th October, when members were able to take time to meet up and discuss the exhibition while enjoying afternoon tea. There was also an opportunity to talk about upcoming exhibitions and to give suggestions for the direction and future of the Society.
Members who were unable to come along were invited to pass along their suggestions via email.
Congratulations to Sharon Fox for winning the ‘People’s Choice Award’, sponsored by Barrie Scott and Co.
Congratulations also to our members whose work was selected as highly commended:
Also, our congratulations to Kathy, whose painting was voted the best in the George Forrest category by the jury.
AS a Charity THe SSBA is solely funded by money raised through membership and exhibitions, if you would like to donate to us please use the following forms :
Our grateful thanks to The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society https://thecaley.org.uk/ and Giclee UK for their ongoing support.
Thank to the Finnis Scott Foundation for the Biennial award that funded the Introductory and Intermediate Botanical Art workshops in Aviemore and Dumfries from 2022 to 2024.